News

Derwent in Record Books
September 14, 2009 09:44am - Courtesy of the Mercury.

OHA's premiership campaign was struck down as Derwent secured its fourth consecutive men's southern hockey premiership. Derwent became the first club to secure four consecutive titles since Baptists in 1942, forcing the shipwrecked OHA to wait even longer to end its 32-year title drought. Derwent's forward line was damaging in the opening half, establishing a 3-0 advantage before some excellent defensive tackling in the second period ensured the win. Both goalkeepers were impeccable in the opening 15 minutes as early opportunities were quickly negated.

Derwent defender Alistair Addison opened the scoring with a penalty corner flick in the 18th minute. The scoreboard had barely recognised the goal when Dougal Middleton scored Derwent's second goal with OHA seemingly anchored to its defensive circle. Geoff Cock struck a further blow with a powerful penalty corner flick goal in the 30th minute as the margin stretched to three.

The second half saw OHA midfielder Toby West's quiet day ended early before playing coach Daniel Sproule pushed himself into central midfield. The tactic worked handsomely as Sproule and Jeremy Edwards gained the upper hand in midfield, allowing Dave Woolford to deflect a goal in the 51st minute. The goal merely jolted the Strikers into action as their defensive trio of Nick Tremayne, Stuart Webb and Billy Shaw stalled OHA's momentum and ensured Derwent dominated 55 per cent possession.

Derwent playing coach Paul Ancher was sent from the field in the final seconds for a clumsy tackle only to receive a standing ovation from the Strikers faithful. Cock struck the crossbar with his final penalty corner but it mattered little as Derwent capped off a near flawless season with the premiership OHA supporters dearly crave.

DERWENT 3 (G. Cock, A. Addison, D. Middleton) d OHA 1 (D. Woolford).